Statement of managers - nutrition education and promotion initiative to address obesity

From the nutrition title, the statement of managers, page 100 of 423. Again, look for what the House bill does, the Senate and how the Conference bill reconciles the two.


(38) Nutrition Education and Promotion Initiative to Address Obesity

The House bill amends section 17 of the FSA by adding a new section that authorizes the Secretary to establish a demonstration program, to be known as the “Initiative to Address Obesity Among Low-Income Americans,” to develop and implement strategies to reduce obesity among low-income Americans. The Secretary is authorized to enter into competitively awarded contracts, cooperative agreements, or grants with public or private organizations or agencies. Agencies are required to submit applications to the Secretary, and the Secretary is to evaluate demonstration proposals using a variety of criteria, including: (1) identifying a low-income target audience that corresponds to individuals living with incomes at or below 185 percent of the poverty level; (2) incorporating scientifically-based strategies that are designed to improve diet quality through more healthful food purchases, preparation, or consumption; and (3) a commitment to a demonstration plan that allows for rigorous outcome evaluation, including data collection. Projects that limit the use of SSNAP program benefits are prohibited from receiving funding. The Secretary is authorized to use funds to pay costs associated with monitoring, evaluating, and disseminating the Initiative’s findings. An appropriation of $10,000,000 is authorized for fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
No new grants are to be made after September 30, 2012. (Section 4023) The Senate amendment amends section 17 to require and fund pilot projects to develop and test methods of using the Food and Nutrition program to improve the dietary and health status of participants and to reduce overweight, obesity, and associated comorbidities. Among other initiatives, projects may include those providing increased program benefits, increased access to farmers’ markets, incentives to participating vendors to increase the availability of healthy foods, adding vendor approval requirements with respect to carrying healthy foods, point-of-purchase incentives to encourage program participants to buy fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods, and providing integrated communication and education programs (including school-based nutrition coordinators). These pilot health and nutrition promotion projects would include independent evaluations and annual reports on their status. Mandatory funding of $50 million is provided, and up to $25 million must be used for point-of-purchase incentive projects. (Section 4403)
The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with amendments to specify that the purpose of the section is to carry out pilot projects to develop and test methods for improving the dietary and health status of households in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, as well as to reduce obesity and other diet-related diseases in the United States; specify the types of pilot projects that the Secretary may consider; include a requirement relating to evaluations and reports of the pilot projects; specify mandatory funding amounts and require that the Secretary use not more than $20 million of that mandatory funding to carry out a point-of-purchase pilot project to encourage households to purchase fruits, vegetables, or other healthy foods. (Section 4141)